Thoughts on the non-rapture

Many jokes have been made about Harold Camping, his followers, and his prediction for the rapture to occur on May 21, 2011.  I've made a few jokes and discussed the injustice and possible ramifications of this man's actions.  But in all sincerity, I feel sad for him and those following his beliefs.  This man staked everything on his belief that the rapture would occur.  Millions of dollars and hours were invested in advertising.  Here in New York alone there have been proselytizers working around the clock for months and months, passing out pamphlets.  Not to mention the countless billboards and subway ads.  People actually sold their houses and quit their jobs.  One man, a retired transportation employee, used his life savings to buy advertising space.  His response at 6pm when nothing happened, "I do not understand why ...," as his speech broke off and he looked at his watch.  "I do not understand why nothing has happened."1  What disappointment and confusion he must feel.  He has put his hope in this one moment, this one event for so long.  I feel sad for him and I wonder if he will walk away from God.  Did God let him down?  No, Harold Camping set this guy up for a major letdown. 

And what about Harold Camping?  He said he would spend the day at home watching the events of the rapture unfold on television until it was his turn for the rapture.  If this man really believed this was going to happen, then everything he believes and hopes in has just been taken away from him.  He has made a prediction of end times before.  But last time, he admitted that there was a chance he might be wrong if he made a mathematical error.  And after no rapture occurred in 1994, he conceded that he indeed had made an error in calculation.  This time, he was adamant that there is no way he could be wrong.  He shut down his office, his broadcasting network and his website.  I truly wonder what went through his mind last night when there was no giant earthquake in New Zealand as he was expecting.  I imagine him sitting in his living room watching television, waiting for breaking news, and nothing happens.  Instead, his television turns to the 11 o'clock news as happens every night (11pm in California is 6pm next day in New Zealand).  What did he say to his wife?  Did he even go to bed?  And as nothing monumental unfolded throughout Saturday, how was he feeling? 

I think Harold Camping and many of those following in his footsteps believe that they were really doing what is right, despite the obvious verses in Scripture that direct followers of Christ differently.  I fear for those who have no house, no money, and possibly now, no belief system because of their decision to buy into Harold Camping.  I pray that they will now hear the truth and know it.  But I think many will find a different path to follow that is equally disastrous. 

And as for myself, I looked out the window at 6:00 to see what people were doing because I've seen some of these followers around here before.  Life was continuing as normal as though no one was aware of anything that was supposed to be happening.  When I looked at the sky, I saw a faint rainbow.  God's promise not to destroy man by flood ever again.  But it also reminded me that though today was not Judgment Day, it will happen someday and no man knows that day or hour.

Debtor

I am in the unfortunate but necessary process of declaring bankruptcy. As I fill out forms and go through all the steps involved, I am known as "the debtor". It's a term that stings a little. But it also reminds me that I am first a debtor to Christ. I've never really thought extensively about what it means to be a debtor to Christ. Now, I'm really thinking about it because I keep being reminded that I am a debtor to Chase and American Express and Bank of America and so on. I owe these companies money that they "loaned" to me. Does that mean I owe Christ something?

(This post was written January 2011 but for some reason I didn't post it)